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Pre-branded domain names for startups

stylate.com

61–70 of 212 posts

Re: Pre-branded domain names for startups

#61
I'm so-so on this concept.

I'm sure it'll be a reasonable success and generate you some cash, but on the other hand, seeing someone holding a creative grab bag of interesting domains and concepts that they're only hoping to flip for a profit makes me uneasy.

There are a lot of clever, interesting names here though, and I can definitely see someone who has a concept without a a title seeing a lot of value in paying $250 for something like this. It's more than likely a hell of a lot cheaper than most domain squatters (which isn't exactly what i'd call this) would charge for the domain alone.

My major fear - the owner of this content might find someone who uses a similar name as one of their concepts-for-sale, and attempt to sue them without being able to properly verify if said person actually ripped them off, or just themselves came up with the idea coincidentally. It's one of those slippery slope endeavors.

I'm torn over whether I like "Feastable", "WhamBox", or "PixelKeg" the most. Definitely some great names here.

Re: Pre-branded domain names for startups

#62
post #58
post #10

Looks like a great idea, very clever, but I'm not sure about the pricing. I would love to use something like this as a small developer, but $250 is a bit much for a domain and a logo given my small-time budget. On the other hand, companies with a larger budget would probably just have something like this done in-house. So I guess I'd ask: who do you see being the target market here?

The price can seem a little high but it's a fixed price. No guessing, no haggling, no uncertainty. Just pick one you like and go. I wonder if you'd consider locking in the matching Twitter, YouTube, etc. names as well. I'm afraid that if you don't now unscrupulous people will start scanning the site and picking those up.

I was thinking that, full suite social media branding, plus basic business cards, letter head, invoice template - the potential addons could go on and on.

Re: Pre-branded domain names for startups

#63
post #58
post #10

Looks like a great idea, very clever, but I'm not sure about the pricing. I would love to use something like this as a small developer, but $250 is a bit much for a domain and a logo given my small-time budget. On the other hand, companies with a larger budget would probably just have something like this done in-house. So I guess I'd ask: who do you see being the target market here?

The price can seem a little high but it's a fixed price. No guessing, no haggling, no uncertainty. Just pick one you like and go. I wonder if you'd consider locking in the matching Twitter, YouTube, etc. names as well. I'm afraid that if you don't now unscrupulous people will start scanning the site and picking those up.

> I'm afraid that if you don't now unscrupulous people will start scanning the site and picking those up.

Good idea.

Re: Pre-branded domain names for startups

#65
post #49
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We are testing different price points. What would you feel comfortable paying?

How about £10? You know.. how much you're supposed to pay for a domain.

The other day me and my business partners spent about 3 hours between us throwing around brand names and checking out .com's - we found a name we love and now we are getting a logo/branding piece done for it.

The costs in terms of our time, plus the design time are going to be way more that $250 - so if this has something you want and can use, great. If not there are literally millions of other names out there.

These guys, IMHO, are adding value. If you think not - fair enough, but they aren't selling just a domain. They are selling time saved. Some peoples time won't be worth as much, some people are already talented designers. For the rest of us, this is a great idea.

Re: Pre-branded domain names for startups

#66

I'm not sure I agree that this is such a 'superb idea' ... As a founder, I want to personalise my domain, and design, and that means coming up with different concepts, and searching whois until I find a good match that's available ... The design then has to represent what the product is about in a non-generic way ... The designs on this site are far too generic for my taste I can't imagine myself going to that page w…

When you're at the beginning stages, trying to get something built and possibly seeking seed money, spending your time naming, designing logos, and branding is sort of like spending all your money on a nice office before you have a product.

By all means, do the things you talk about when it's time--but that time is usually not at the beginning.

Re: Pre-branded domain names for startups

#67
post #10

Looks like a great idea, very clever, but I'm not sure about the pricing. I would love to use something like this as a small developer, but $250 is a bit much for a domain and a logo given my small-time budget. On the other hand, companies with a larger budget would probably just have something like this done in-house. So I guess I'd ask: who do you see being the target market here?

acabal, $250 is a steal. Cut on beer and coffee for a month and there you have it. Branded domains can go for a lot more

Re: Pre-branded domain names for startups

#68
post #39
post #5

This is a really great idea. One of the things which young startups often spend too much time on is picking a perfect name + brand. This is a great way to get started. You can always iterate later if necessary, but this gives you something to use NOW, and put the discussion away and get back to real work. Also, I love the layout. Very straightforward. I currently subscribe to the http://justdropped.com/ mailing list…

Great idea for them, yes. For us? Awful. Most of the time I bet the logos (which are ok but a bit generic) won't match what you have in mind for your site. These people are no better than domain squatters - they're an unnecessary tax on startups. A number of times now I've abandoned ideas after being unable to find a domain name as they're all taken by squatters, it's saddening :(

From all the possible names and extensions that are available, you've been unable to find anything that fits? And it was the lack of suitable URL that led you to abandon these ideas?

A URL alone does not makes a site or a success.

Re: Pre-branded domain names for startups

#69
No! A $7.99 domain name and what looks like to me a $99 logo thrown is not a steal or a good deal. Let me come at this way: Can I get the domain off of you for %80 off the $250 price ? I presume that the answer is no, because it's a lipstick on pig product designed to glorify domain squatting.

All the power to you for finding a niche market, but suckers be warned that it's highway robbery!

edit: downvoted within 2 minutes of posting this without a reply. i guess you guys were looking for a AAA+++ , would buy again review. what a joke

edit2: Sorry for coming off as harsh, but this sort of domain related shit has been plaguing the net for a long time

Re: Pre-branded domain names for startups

#70
post #49
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We are testing different price points. What would you feel comfortable paying?

How about £10? You know.. how much you're supposed to pay for a domain.

So you expect to get a logo for free with that logic. What they are selling here is a somewhat pre-built brand. If you want a $10 domain, spend the time to think of one that isn't registered. This will definitely take at least a few hours. Do you value your time? 6 hours spent thinking of a domain name is "free", but it took 6 hours during which you could be doing billable work, at a very low ~$40/hr
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